Near-infrared Responsive Photoelectrochemical Biosensors

Near-infrared (NIR) light-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing is a highly promising analytical technique, especially for in situ bioanalysis, due to the deep penetration capability and minimal invasiveness of NIR light. In this mini review, we provide a brief overview of recently developed NIR PEC sensors, focusing on NIR light-responsive materials and the representative applications of this type of PEC sensor. Future perspectives for NIR PEC sensors are also described.     

Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Sensor for Wearable Interstitial Fluid Glucose Monitoring

We report on a nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor for wearable glucose monitoring in interstitial fluid. The sensor exhibited acceptable selectivity and reliability for continuous glucose detection for up to 30 days. The sensor tip is coated with polyurethane, and the biocompatibility of the tip is investigated by tissue staining. A fully integrated wearable glucose monitoring system is developed with a wireless connection with a smartphone. The test results are in agreement with reference methods. So, we believe the sensor is promising for the development of a continuous glucose monitoring system and diabetes management.     

New insight into the effect of interface supercapacitance on the performance of titanium dioxide/carbon nanowire array for photoelectrochemical water oxidation

The electrode/electrlyte interface is of great signifance to photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation as the reaction mainly occur here. Herein, we focus on the effect of supercapactance of the electrode/electrlyte interface on the performance of PEC. It is discovered that the supercapacitor on the interface is crucial because it links the charge transport and solution ion adsorption on its two sides. In this study, we demonstrate an approach to promote the performance of TiO₂ nanowire array (TiO₂ NWs) photoanode in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) by increasing its supercapacitance. A 2−5 nm carbon layer was coated and the interface supercapacitance increases by about 150 times. This enhances the separation rate of electron-hole pairs by collecting more holes. Meanwhile, it also promotes the water oxidation rate by adsorbing more OH⁻ on its surface. As a result, the photocurrent density of C-TiO₂ NWs was about 8 times higher than that of its carbon-free counterpart. This approach of increasing the supercapacitance of photoanodes would be attractive for enhancement of the efficiency of PECs and this work demonstrate the importance of supercapacitance of the interface for PECs.     

DFT study on the chemical sensitivity of C3N nanotubes toward acetone

Potential application of single-walled C₃N nanotubes was investigated as chemical sensors for acetone molecules based on the density functional theory calculations. It was found that the pristine nanotube weakly adsorbs an acetone molecule with the adsorption energy of − 9.7 kcal/mol, and its electronic properties are not sensitive to this molecule. By replacing a C atom with a Si atom, the nanotube becomes a p-type semiconductor. The adsorption energy of the acetone molecule on the Si-doped nanotube becomes much more negative (E_ad=−67.4 kcal/mol). The adsorption process leads to a sizable increase in the resistance of the Si-doped tube, thereby, it can show the presence of acetone molecule, creating an electronic signal. Also, the sensitivity of these devices can be controlled by the doping level of Si atoms. By increasing the number of dopant atoms from 1 to 4, the sensitivity is gradually increased.     

激光诱导三维网状石墨烯的一步法制备及应用

三维多孔石墨烯作为一种优异的石墨烯碳材料, 其独特的多孔结构使得材料在具有较大比表面积的同时还保持着足够高的电子迁移率和机械稳定性, 在电子器件中得到了广泛的应用. 本文介绍的激光诱导石墨烯是一种以一步法直接制备得到的三维网状石墨烯材料, 该技术将三维石墨烯的制备和图案化相结合, 无需进行湿化学反应处理, 制作方法更简便, 材料性能更优异. 目前研究主要集中在通过掺杂提高性能和利用转移法实现不同基底器件的制备. 激光诱导石墨烯自身特有的属性如多孔微纳米结构和大的比表面积等使其在超级电容器和传感器等领域拥有较高的应用价值.     

Recent advances in bismuth vanadate-based photocatalysts for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Photoelectrochemical(PEC) technology is considered to be a promising approach for solar-driven hydrogen production with zero emissions. Bismuth vanadate(BiVO_4) is a kind of photocatalytic material with strong photoactivity in the visible light region and appropriate band gap for PEC water splitting.However, the solar-to-hydrogen efficiency(STH) of BiVO_4 is far away from the 10% target needed for practical application due to its poor charge separation ability. Therefore, this review attempts to summarize the strategies for improving the photocurrent density and especially hydrogen production of BiVO_4 materials through PEC techniques in the last three years, such as doping nonmetal and metal elements, depositing noble metals, constructing heterojunctions, coupling with carbon and metalorganic framework(MOF) materials to further enhance the PEC performance of BiVO_4 photoanode. This review aims to serve as a general guideline to fabricate highly efficient BiVO_4-based materials for PEC water splitting.     

A co-activation strategy for enhancing the performance of hematite in photoelectrochemical water oxidation

Hematite(α-Fe_2O_3) is a promising photoanode for photoelectrochemical(PEC) water splitting.However,the severe charge recombination and sluggish water oxidation kinetics extremely limit its use in photohydrogen conversion.Herein,a co-activation strategy is proposed,namely through phosphorus(P)doping and the loading of CoAl-layered double hydroxides(CoAl-LDHs) cocatalysts.Unexpectedly,the integrated system,CoAl-LDHs/P-Fe_2O_3 photoanode,exhibits an outstanding photocurrent density of 1.56 mA/cm~2 at 1.23 V(vs.reversible hydrogen electrode,RHE),under AM 1.5 G,which is 2.6 times of pureα-Fe_2O_3.Systematic studies reveal that the remarkable PEC performance is attributed to accelerated surface OER kinetics and enhanced carrier separation efficiency.This work provides a feasible strategy to enhance the PEC performance of hematite photoanodes.     

基于U型弯曲光纤模间干涉的折射率传感

研究了去包层U型弯曲光纤的折射率传感特性.首先根据模间干涉理论,分析了U型光纤传感器的传感原理,指出干涉谱损耗峰波长与环境折射率和弯曲半径有关.利用单模光纤(SM-28)实验制作不同曲率半径的U型光纤传感器,把传感器的U型部分浸入不同折射率的液体中,研究其折射率传感特性.当U型光纤曲率半径为2.5~5.0mm时,传输光谱中均能观察到明显的模间干涉现象;当液体折射率从1.30RIU变到1.43RIU时,光谱损耗峰波长发生红移,且弯曲半径越大,折射率传感灵敏度越高;在曲率半径为5mm时灵敏度为207nm/RIU(折射率1.30~1.40RIU)和1 220nm/RIU(折射率1.40~1.42RIU).干涉峰的波形参量(半高宽、对比度)决定于包层模和纤芯导模之间的比例,当曲率半径为4mm时,损耗峰半高宽最小达3.2nm.综合半高宽和灵敏度两个参量,得出曲率半径4.5mm的U型光纤传感器品质因素最高,分别为43.1RIU-1(折射率1.30~1.40RIU)和191.2RIU-1(折射率1.40~1.42RIU),可直接由SM-28单模光纤制成,且制作工艺简单、成本低、机械强度高不需要任何特殊处理,具有很好的应用前景.     

MHD squeezed flow of water functionalized metallic nanoparticles over a sensor surface

Present study is devoted to analyze the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) squeezed flow of nanofluid over a sensor surface. Modeling of the problem is based on the geometry and the interaction of three different kinds of metallic nanoparticles namely: copper (Cu), alumina (Al₂O₃) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) with the homogeneous mixture of base fluid (water). The self-similar numerical solutions are presented for the reduced form of the system of coupled ordinary differential equations. The effects of nanoparticles volume friction, permeable velocity and squeezing parameter for the flow and heat transfer within the boundary layer are presented through graphs. Comparison among the solvent are constructed for both skin friction and Nusselt number. Flow behavior of the working nanofluid according to the present geometry has analyzed through Stream lines. Conclusion is drawn on the basis of entire investigation and it is found that in squeezing flow phenomena Cu–water gives the better heat transfer performance as compare with the rest of mixtures.     

分子印迹阵列式传感器的研究进展

分子印迹阵列式传感器具有识别率高、选择性好、价格低廉等优点,受到研究者们的极大关注,已经在食品分析、环境分析、药物分析、临床诊断等研究领域中得到应用。分子印迹阵列式传感器是以分子印迹聚合物作为识别元素的集成化传感器,通过各传感单元对分析物响应后产生的特征图谱实现对目标化合物的识别,不仅可用于单一目标化合物的选择性识别,还可以用于多种目标化合物同时存在时的测定。分子印迹阵列式传感器的响应信号机制主要划分为光信号、质量敏感信号和电化学信号等。本文简要介绍了分子印迹技术的产生和发展,重点评述了基于三种信号机制的分子印迹阵列式传感器的研究进展,并展望了分子印迹阵列式传感器的应用前景和研究方向。